New €10 Million Grant Program Mandates Professional Staffing for Island Municipalities
A new €10 million grant program for island municipalities mandates the hiring of professionally trained staff to oversee sustainable development projects while promoting the employment of women, youth, and the long-term unemployed.
A new €10 million grant program for island municipalities marks a significant shift in how regional development funds are managed. Beyond simply providing financial support, the initiative now requires town councils to hire professionally trained staff to oversee their projects.
The goal is to move away from short-term hiring and instead build long-term technical expertise within local government. The level of professional qualification required will depend on the size of each town, ensuring that projects are managed with greater skill and oversight.
The program also includes clear social goals. Half of all new hires must be women, with a specific focus on those struggling to enter the job market: young people under 30 and long-term unemployed individuals over 30.
Town councils can receive 100% funding for a wide range of projects aligned with the 2030 Agenda. These include energy transition initiatives, water and waste management, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism. To ensure these projects are financially viable, the government will provide advance payments.
Ultimately, this measure aims to help local governments modernize their services while tackling unemployment. By connecting job creation with essential public projects, the program seeks to build more resilient communities that are both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.